The NSW Government has begun the search for a site for Sydney’s second global film studio, opening Expressions of Interest to industry partners as part of a plan to expand the state’s screen production capacity.
The new studio will complement Moore Park’s Disney Studios Australia, with the government committing up to $100 million toward its development. The NSW Government’s investment, part of its three-year NSW Screen & Digital Games Strategy, will provide a partnership opportunity with the film industry.
As the only major film studio in Greater Sydney, Disney Studios Australia has attracted some of the largest and most iconic international feature films ever produced, including Mission Impossible 2, Moulin Rouge!, Mad Max: Fury Road, The Great Gatsby, Peter Rabbit, The Fall Guy, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, Apex, and many more.
The EOI will be open to proposals on both private and government owned land. To support the process, three government-owned sites in Western Sydney (at Bungarribee, Eastern Creek and Prospect) have been identified that respondents may consider when preparing a proposal.
EOI submissions will be evaluated against the NSW Government’s objectives to strengthen capacity, attract international blockbusters, support local production, create local jobs, and ensure NSW remains the nation’s screen powerhouse.
The EOI process will be open to proposals for those who think they can deliver the critically needed screen infrastructure – including six sound stages minimum. It will close in May, before being evaluated and considered by the NSW Government.
Yesterday, Blacktown City Mayor Brad Bunting said Western Sydney is “well placed” to support the continued growth of Australia’s screen industry.
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“Western Sydney is alive with creativity. Our young and diverse population represents a powerful pipeline of talent and new opportunities for Australia’s screen industry,” he said. “We have the space, with large-scale productions requiring space for sound stages, workshops and backlots, Western Sydney has the scale and infrastructure needed for projects of that size. It makes sense.”
